UtilityWire’s Post

'The Australian Energy Market Operator was forced to step into the NSW market and cap wholesale prices between May 8 and 15 after a series of shocks sent costs into orbit. 'It's believed to be only the second time the market operator has had to make such an intervention in NSW — the first being the energy crisis of 2022. 'Among the blows were a number of planned and unplanned outages at coal plants in NSW. 'At the same time, Mr McArdle said there were disruptions to high-voltage power lines linking NSW to Queensland and Victoria. [Ah.] 'But he said it was imperative there was enough gas-fired capacity on hand to ensure it could step in as a back up for wind, solar and batteries when required. 'Again, I think … the government will lose the support of the community, we as an industry will lose the support of the community, if we can't manage this transition in a cost efficient way'. [This is what enemy IW targets.] https://lnkd.in/gecD3KAf

"while maintaining a strategic reserve of backup gas power stations to guarantee security of supply" https://lnkd.in/erteWJ7F Not just in my linked-in then! Good work Labour. Obviously gas back up will have <2% load factor post 2035 but the idea of charging electricity consumers a small Dunkelflaute insurance premium is fine. Biomethane can provide the fuel, delivered by the gas grids, probably <20 TWh/annum National Gas Cadent Gas Limited SGN Northern Gas Networks Wales & West Utilities Barrow Green Gas

The UK government has revised its 2030 clean energy target to 95% clean power, a more realistic goal compared to the previous 'zero carbon electricity' ambition.

Headhunterzz.net ..Use your Brain for a Change! #investing #energy #sustainable #eco #globalwarming #climatechange #carbonneutral #shareholderactivism #finance #parisagreement #banking #Risk #chemicals #pollution #solution #alternative #solutions #Sustainability #Innovation #RegenerativeBusiness #NaturePositive #Sustainability #DistributiveManufacturing #LocalEconomy #GreenInnovation #Innovation

Historical moment - UK's last coal-fired power station shuts down A few hours ago, the Ratcliffe power station, the UK's last remaining coal-fired power plant, officially shut down, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy history. This closure brings an end to 142 years of coal use for electricity generation in Britain. The utilisation of this energy source started in 1882 when the world’s first coal-powered station was built in London. Since then, coal has been a cornerstone of industrial growth and energy supply. Now, the UK is stepping into a cleaner, more sustainable future, leaving behind a long legacy of coal in favour of renewable energy sources. Video: UK's National Energy System Operator #sustainability #renewableenergy #energytransition #UKenergy #climateaction #cleanenergy

 https://lnkd.in/gx2Xdh2b   N.B. Power is turning back to carbon-emitting fossil fuels as it scrambles to find new ways to generate electricity to meet record-breaking demands. The utility plans to buy power generated by a new natural-gas plant to be built by a private company outside city of Moncton — a move at odds with the current push to achieve a net-zero-emissions power grid a decade from now. But Energy Minister René Legacy says it will allow N.B. Power to rely less than it does now on its Coleson Cove generation station, which burns higher-emitting heavy oil during peak demand times. Énergie NB Power #NaturalGas #LoadFactor #Emissions CBC  City of Moncton / Ville de Moncton 7 Powerful Ways Renewable Energy Is Leading the Positive Net-Zero Revolution – https://lnkd.in/gsHXSdYP

If two stories demonstrated the "messy middle" of the energy transition it's two pieces that have appeared in the AFR in recent days. The first is that due to lower than expected renewable energy output, coal has made a "comeback" with a 6.5% increase in the April to June period. The link takes you to the story. Elsewhere in the AFR we read about the cost and time blowouts of Energy Connect, the new transmission line running between NSW and SA. In a turbulent transition of unprecedented scale these things, while not pleasant nor wanted, are really not that surprising. Costs and timelines of major projects do tend to blow out (suburban rail link in Victoria for example). This shouldn't be seen as acceptable and people need to be held to account, but are we really surprised that energy infrastructure will suffer the same issues as all other forms of infrastructure? Equally, while we are used to energy demand fluctuating we are less accustomed to energy supply doing the same thing. However, in an energy market dominated by variable renewable energy sources, should we be surprised that supply will sometimes be variable? No doubt there will be some uncomfortable conversations forcing people to shift nervously in their seats but it should not be a reason to throw our hands in the air in give up. The transition is hard. It will take longer and cost more than we had hoped, no matter what technology you decide to pursue because we are rebuilding our energy system. Be clear eyed about the challenges. Be rational with solutions. Understand where we are falling down. Learn from our mistakes (quickly). Keep calm and carry on.

Initial read of Govt's clean & renewable energy plans. What does this mean for noise? Battery storage, solar farms, and wind turbines generate a fair amount of sound, spread over large areas in rural locations with low background noise. Notably, Defra will consult on including grid-scale batteries within the Environmental Permitting Regulations. This would also need assessments in line with the EA's Method implementation document (MID) for BS 4142. Let's see what happens next! https://lnkd.in/eHTUr-vH

Australia stands on the precipice of an impending power shortage crisis, set to hit households and businesses along its eastern coastline by 2027. This crisis stems from the convergence of multiple factors, including the closure of coal-fired power plants, delays in renewable energy projects, and escalating electricity demands. The ramifications of this crisis are dire, with significant disruptions predicted across various sectors unless immediate action is taken. The closure of up to five coal-fired power plants by the end of the decade will slash the east-coast grid’s generating capacity by 13%. Major plants in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, New South Wales, and Queensland are among those facing shutdowns. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has issued stark warnings, projecting energy market gaps starting as early as 2025 and urging swift intervention to avert a full-blown crisis. https://lnkd.in/dEYUWjJR